Specialized Master’s Degree vs. MBA: A Guide for Prospective Students

So you have decided that you want to pursue a master’s degree—but with so many options out there, how do you decide which type of master’s degree is right for you?

For some, choosing which type of master’s degree to pursue might be easy to do, but for others, it can be difficult. The decision involves carefully considering a number of factors, including your interests, academic goals, finances and whether you can satisfy a given program’s prerequisites.

In this guide, we discuss the differences between a specialized master’s degree and an MBA—specifically, what a master’s degree is, what an MBA is, potential pros and cons of pursuing any master’s degree program, potential career path considerations, costs, admissions requirements, specializations and concentrations, accreditation and more—all to help you make a more informed choice about your academic future and chart your course forward.

What Is a Master’s Degree?

A master’s degree is a graduate-level degree. It is a more advanced degree than a bachelor’s degree (undergraduate) but not as advanced as a doctoral degree (i.e., PhD or applied doctorate) . Master’s degree programs are offered in virtually every discipline and typically take around two years to complete. Some common examples are Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS or MSci), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Education (MEd), Master of Accounting (MAcc) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA). Usually master’s degrees are not terminal (a terminal degree is the highest degree that can be earned in a certain field). The exception to this general rule is the MFA, which is the highest degree that can be earned in the Fine Arts.

What Is an MBA?

You may have noticed that we included the Master of Business Administration (MBA) among our examples in the previous section. That’s because MBA programs are a type of master’s-level degree program that focuses on developing learners’ general business skills and knowledge. MBA curricula typically include a mix of core business courses and electives, and business instructors often incorporate case studies into their lessons or assign real-world-based projects to enhance the learning experience. Because MBA programs have an interdisciplinary structure and because the general business concepts they cover may be applied in any industry—concepts such as strategic marketing, strategic management, economics and leadership fundamentals—the Master of Business Administration is often described as a “versatile” graduate degree.

A Focus on Real-World Business Skills

According to a Corporate Recruiters Survey conducted in 2023 by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), “[e]mployers say communication, data analysis and strategy are currently among the most important skills for GME [Graduate Management Education] graduates—and most say their importance will continue to grow.”¹ Trident University International’s MBA program is designed to help MBA candidates work to develop these skills and more. Graduates of Trident’s Master of Business Administration program should be able to:

• Enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness through the application of ACBSP key business domains of accounting, finance, statistics, economics, management and marketing.
• Foster team and organizational performance through collaborative leadership practices.
• Strategically address business needs through the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
• Promote global interdependence through multicultural opportunities across business teams and functional units.
• Analyze ethical and legal dilemmas in business environments while respecting the responsibilities of the organization and needs of the stakeholders.
• Negotiate business initiatives through effective, persuasive and professional written or oral communications.

Potential Pros and Cons of Pursuing an MBA or Other Master’s Degree Program

Some possible pros of pursuing and earning a master’s degree include the ability to seek more advanced opportunities in your current field, the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge in preparation for pursuing new opportunities in a different field, and higher earning potential.²

Some possible cons of pursuing a master’s degree program include the time commitment (one to two years is typical), costs (including tuition and fees, books and materials, lab fees, etc.) and no guarantee of obtaining advancement or finding employment in your desired field upon graduation.

Specialized Master’s Degree vs. MBA: Potential Career Paths

Knowing what career paths interest you, or better yet, knowing precisely which career path you intend to pursue, is important to making an informed decision about whether to pursue an MBA versus a specialized master’s degree. For example, if you are interested in educational leadership, a Master of Arts in Education or Master of Education degree program might be better suited to your needs than an MBA program; however, if you are already a business owner (or if owning your own business is a long-term goal) or you are seriously considering a future in the finance industry, then the general business skills covered in an MBA degree program would be more relevant.

Another factor to consider if you are on the fence about whether to pursue any type of master’s degree at all is that some fields require a master’s degree (or higher) for entry-level positions. If you’re curious whether your desired field is one of them, the Occupation Finder by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics may be a helpful tool.

Specialized Master’s Degree vs. MBA: Admissions Requirements

Another factor to consider as you weigh the pros and cons of pursuing a specialized master’s degree versus an MBA program are admissions requirements.

Undergraduate Field of Study

One of the differences between MBA programs and master’s degree programs in certain other disciplines is that MBA programs typically do not require prospective applicants to already hold an undergraduate business degree—holding a bachelor’s degree in any subject is usually sufficient as long as it was conferred by an accredited institution. With that said, applicants without a business degree may have to take a competency assessment or enroll in additional courses to bring them up to speed in certain subjects, like basic accounting. Trident offers several master’s degree programs that are open to prospective applicants from diverse undergraduate backgrounds: Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA), Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS), Master of Science in Homeland Security (MSHS), Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM) and Master of Science in Leadership (MSL) programs.

In contrast, there are some master’s degree programs—accounting, education, engineering, computer science, information technology and nursing are just a few examples—which require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree in that specific discipline or a closely related one.

Entrance Exams

Academic entrance exam requirements are another area in which MBA programs and master’s degree programs may differ. The following are just a few examples of common graduate entrance exams:

• The Graduate Management Admission Test^™ (GMAT^™) is typically taken by those who plan on applying to graduate business degree programs.
• The GRE^® General Test is another option for those planning to apply to business, law or graduate school.
• GRE^® Subject Tests are designed to measure a graduate school applicant’s undergraduate achievement in a particular field of study (mathematics, physics and psychology).
• The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a multiple-choice test administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) that is taken by prospective law school candidates in the United States, Canada and Australia.
• The Medical College Admission Test^® (MCAT^®) is taken by prospective medical students in the United States, Canada, Caribbean Islands and Australia and is designed to assess the test-taker’s natural and social sciences knowledge and critical thinking and scientific problem-solving skills.

Not all institutions require applicants to submit entrance exam scores, however. At Trident, submission of GMAT or GRE test scores is optional.

Work Experience

Work experience requirements are another factor to consider when trying to decide between pursuing a specialized master’s degree versus an MBA degree program. It is not uncommon for MBA programs to require potential applicants to have at least two years of full-time work experience. Executive MBA (EMBA) degree programs, which are designed for prospective applicants who are further along in their career paths than the type of applicant who typically applies to “traditional” MBA programs, tend to have an even higher work-experience threshold, often requiring seven or more years of managerial or leadership experience.

Although Trident’s online MBA and master’s degree programs are designed to offer working adults greater flexibility and convenience than traditional graduate degree programs, our Master of Business Administration degree program does not require that applicants possess a specific amount of work experience. However, those who have certain learning or work experience may be eligible to receive course credit for it that counts toward degree program completion.

Specialized Master’s Degree vs. MBA: Costs

It is not uncommon to find claims on the internet that MBA programs, and business schools in general, cost more than other types of master’s degree programs. But rather than taking these claims at face value, you should investigate the tuition and fees at your preferred schools and then compare them to one another. For instance, all of Trident’s online master’s degree programs are offered at the same per-credit cost. Other factors may influence overall out-of-pocket as well, including whether you are eligible to receive credits for prior learning or experience; whether you qualify for receive special military tuition rates; and whether you qualify for scholarships, grants or other types of financial aid.

Choosing a Specialization or Concentration

Both MBA and specialized master’s degree programs may offer the option to pursue a specialization or concentration. A specialization or concentration allows you to take a group of courses related to a specific area of knowledge within your field of degree. For example, depending on the institution, someone pursuing a Master of Accounting may be able to specialize or concentrate in tax, auditing, forensic accounting or managerial accounting.

Learners in Trident’s online MBA program have the option to pursue a general track or choose from among the following concentrations:

Several of Trident’s specialized master’s degree programs also offer learners the freedom to choose between pursuing a general track or concentration:

• Master of Arts in Education: Concentrations in Adult Education and Training, Athletics Administration, Aviation Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education, Elementary/Secondary Education Leadership and Administration, Higher Education Leadership and Administration, K12 Online Teaching and Learning
• Master of Science in Healthcare Administration: Concentrations in Conflict Resolution Management and Human Resource Management
• Master of Science in Health Science: Concentrations in Public Health
• Master of Science in Homeland Security: Concentrations in Cybersecurity, Leadership, Emergency and Disaster Management—Logistics
• Master of Science in IT Management: Concentrations in Business Analytics and Information Assurance and Cybersecurity

The Importance of Accreditation

What Is Accreditation?

Accreditation helps to increase and ensure the quality of institutions and programs. How? Accreditation assures learners and prospective employers that a particular institution of higher learning or degree program meets certain educational or industry standards. Additionally, accreditation may affect eligibility for federal financial aid, eligibility for employer-sponsored tuition assistance or the ability to transfer credits from one school to another.

There are a number of different accreditations for business schools and programs: The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredits both undergraduate and graduate business degree programs throughout the world. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is based in the United States and accredits business and accounting programs. The Association of MBAs (AMBA) is based in the UK and awards accreditation to master’s and doctoral business degree programs in the world. And these are just a few examples—there are more.

Trident is a member of the American InterContinental University System. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Select business programs at Trident University International are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Trident University International’s Affordable Specialized Master’s Degree & MBA Programs

Trident offers online master’s degree programs in Business Administration, Education, Health Administration, Health Sciences, Homeland Security, Human Resource Management, IT Management, and Leadership.

Trident students can take advantage of our virtual Center for Career Planning and Workforce Strategies, which contains online tools and resources designed to assist students in career path planning and job search strategies. Graduates of Trident’s undergraduate and graduate degree programs also gain access to the Trident Alumni Network, which could make it easier to make new friends, establish a professional network, strengthen leadership skills and positively impact the lives of others. Alumni may also be able to take advantage of the Trident Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship that is available for all of our master’s and doctoral degree programs.

Interested in Trident’s MBA and master’s degree programs? Request info or apply now.

¹ GMAC, “Corporate Recruiters Survey, 2023 Summary Report,” gmac.com (June 2023), https://www.gmac.com/market-intelligence-and-research/research-library/employment-outlook/2023-corporate-recruiters-survey-summary-report.
² Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, “Earnings and Unemployment Rates by Educational Attainment, 2023,” https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm (visited March 17, 2025). This data represents national figures and is not based on school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

Trident cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. REQ2106898 3/2025